Obituaries

The Obituaries on Basin Now is a public service to the families and friends of the deceased. We pray for peace and comfort as we all mourn the loss of our dear friends and family. The Basin has always been a strong community and together we can bring comfort to many in need.

Evert Remone Merkley, age 92 years, of Vernal, UT, passed away at his home on December 27, 2018.He was born to Christopher Bartlett and Lelia Jane Lyman Merkley on December 12, 1926 in Tridell, Utah, the 6th child of 10 children. They lived in a two-room sawed log house with a lean-to. In his childhood, Evert climbed the hills of Tridell with his siblings, chased lizards, herded cows and sheep barefoot, swam in the canal, rode horses bareback, played marbles, milked cows, and helped extract honey from his father's bees. He learned to work hard.

He lived during the hard days of the Depression. In his history, he remembered their family having a battery operated radio. They were allowed to listen to two programs, then turn it off to save the battery. He also remembered what a great day it was when he was 12 years old and they got electricity to their home.

He attended Tridell Elementary and graduated from Uintah High School. He was drafted into the service to serve his country during WWII.

He met Delores Richards at a dance at the Imperial Hall in Vernal and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on October 29, 1947. They are parents of five children. He was involved with his family teaching them to work hard on the farm, but also creating memories with trips to Yellowstone and outings in the mountains.

He worked many years in construction, including starting a company with his brothers, Lyman and Nelson, called Merkley Bros. Construction. He left his mark on many places in Vernal and the Uintah Basin and other communities, such as, Tucson, AZ, and Green River, WY. He finally retired and lived in St. George, UT for 20 years before returning home to Vernal.

Evert is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He enjoyed being a Scoutmaster and also served as a counselor in three bishoprics. He and his wife, Delores, served three missions to: Manila, Philippines; Cove Fort, Utah; and Nauvoo, IL. They also served as temple workers in the St. George Temple and the Vernal Temple.

Evert and Delores celebrated 71 years of marriage together on October 29, 2018. He celebrated his 92nd birthday on December 12, 2018. He enjoyed a special evening this Christmas Eve with some of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He lived a full, long life. He knew how to work hard. He appreciated his family and all who came to visit. He was grateful for his heritage. He was grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

He is survived by his caring wife, Delores, of Vernal; children, David of Vernal, Colleen (Mitch) Clark of Vernal, Brent (Celeste) Merkley of Caldwell, ID, and Kevin (Valerie) Merkley of Emmett, ID; siblings, Dean (Ann ) Merkley of Vernal, and Thoral (Sherry) of Weeki Wachee, FL., and 26 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Saturday January 5, 2019 at 11:00AM at the Glines 3rd Ward Chapel (475 West 100 South). A viewing for friends and family will be held Friday evening from 6:00-8:00PM at the Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home and Saturday 9:45-10:45AM at the church. Interment will be in the Maeser Fairview Cemetery with military honors provided by the American Legion Post 11. Services are under the care and direction of the Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home.

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